An aircraft can include a first wing and a second wing. The first wing can extend laterally from an aircraft body to a first tip, and the second wing can extend laterally from the aircraft body to a second tip. The aircraft can include a first end effector and a second end effector, each including a fore winglet and an aft winglet. The fore and aft winglets of the first end effector can be pivotably connected to the first tip. The fore and aft winglets of the second end effector can be pivotably connected to the second tip. The fore and aft winglets of the first and second end effectors can be independently operable. The first and second end effectors can be independently operable. A processor can be operatively connected to control movement of the fore and aft winglets of the first and second end effectors.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
3. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the fore winglet is different from the aft winglet.
6. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the fore winglet and the aft winglet are connected to the tip by a hinge.
7. The aircraft of claim 1, further including one or more actuators, the one or more actuators being operatively connected to cause pivoting movement of the fore winglet and the aft winglet.
9. The system of claim 8, further including one or more actuators operatively connected to the processor, the one or more actuators being operatively connected to cause pivoting movement of the fore winglet and the aft winglet of the first end effector and the second end effector.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the fore winglet and the aft winglet of one of the first end effector or the second end effector are offset from each other.
14. The system of claim 8, further including a sensor, wherein the sensor is located onboard the aircraft, wherein the sensor is operatively connected to the processor, and wherein the sensor is configured to acquire sensor data about one of: the aircraft and an external environment of the aircraft.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is a wind speed sensor.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to control the first end effector and the second end effector based on the sensor data.
17. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to control the first end effector and the second end effector autonomously.
18. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to control the first end effector and the second end effector in response to remote control inputs.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
February 26, 2021
December 6, 2022
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